By Johnny Mirehiel

This column will be a regular feature on these Desert Cities Guides pages appearing at each New Moon. In this space, astrologger Johnny Mirehiel  will be using the astrological chart of the New Moon each month as it will appear over the heart of the Coachella Valley.

Here is the chart of that moment for this month:

New Moons happen 13 times each year and come about because the Earth, Moon and Sun are roughly aligned while the Moon and Sun share the same degree of stellar longitude. This astronomical fact marks the beginning of a new monthly astrological cycle. In our personal lives it indicates a time to renew or revise goals, reach for what we wish for most and “remodel” ourselves. It is often helpful to think of the beginning of a new moon cycle as an appropriate time to plant the seeds for what we want to accomplish in the next four weeks.

Here are the salient points that draw my attention in this New Moon Chart:

1. The New Moon is at 03° Gemini (Sun and Moon at the same degree)
2. 24° of Taurus is rising
3. Retrograde Mercury is at the exact degree as the rising sign
4. There is an exact and very rare triple conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune in the tenth house
5. Pluto is the only planet making a major aspect to the New Moon.
6. The energy in the chart is focused on Saturn in the fourth house

OK, those are the astrological highlights. Now let’s put it into the King’s English.
Gemini is a mutable or changeable and a dualistic sign because it is represented by "The Twins." It is about perpetual activity and the ability to adapt to any situation and express something about it. Gemini New Moons cast attention on new ideas and ways of seeing the world. While this may be seen to be a good thing, it can also cause individuals to become distracted by too many interesting ideas causing a loss of focus. This is exacerbated by the fact that Mercury, the planet that rules Gemini, is retrograde during the New Moon, making it a VERY important month to PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. (See my article on the “Mercury Retrograde” HERE for a more detailed description of the retrograde and its effect.) Take extra time to get where you’re going. And make sure that your car is in good running order, as Mercury and Gemini also rule automobiles and transportation of all kinds.

Make sure that you don’t have too much on your plate in these weeks, in particular since Pluto forms a stressful 150° aspect to this Sun-Moon conjunction. This potent planet demands concentration, so reducing the range of activities and interests is vital to turn this mentally stimulating time into a productive one.

Staying with the New Moon degree for a bit, the Sabian Symbol (click HERE for a brief overview of the Sabians) for the New Moon is “Holly and Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit to a Home.” In short, this is a symbol that indicates a time to gather and reconnect with friends and loved ones, to reconcile differences and to “kiss beneath the mistletoe” in a spirit of peace and reconciliation. These New Moon weeks are a good time to gather and party.

Continuing with the Sabians, it’s good to have a look at what they say about 24° of Taurus since it is not only the degree that is rising at the New Moon but it also the degree of Mercury in the chart: “A Large Well Kept Public Park.” Get out into the open, let people see what you’re up to and be willing to work in cooperation with others. This is especially important in the Coachella Valley as the rising degree is different from location to location. This spirit of public cooperation is highlighted even though it may be somewhat difficult to achieve considering the retrograde Mercury.

The importance of mutual cooperation is highlighted by the rare triple conjunction of Chiron, Jupiter and Neptune, in Aquarius and in the 10th house. This is a highly unusual conjunction because it involves three relatively slow moving planets all making a one-time conjunction in one degree of the zodiac. It is a strong call, one of the strongest that the planets can make, for working together (the conjunction) in the spirit of brotherhood (Aquarius) for the public good (10th house). I cannot emphasize this factor too much, considering the other things going on in this chart at this time. (For more about this ultra dynamic conjunction, go to my good friend Lynda Hill’s Sabian Symbol blog.)

Finally, Saturn, alone in the chart in the fourth house and on point in the chart’s “Bucket” pattern, suggests that it is of utmost importance to make sure that you are standing on solid ground. This of course means that you should be working on your own center, the root of the root of yourself. When you have this solidity under you no “quake” can damage your structure.

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. A former secondary school teacher and one-time "Man of the Year in Education," he is internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance moment.  He is accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California. He and his wife Jan continue to support the Harmonic Concordance message of Unity, Joy, Peace and Reconciliation. Johnny can be reached at mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it